Exploration of Shock-Droplet Ignition and Combustion

Liquid fuels are desirable in aerospace applications due to their higher energy density when compared to gaseous fuels. With the advent of detonation-based engines, it is necessary to characterize and analyze how liquid fuel interacts with detonation waves as well as shocks to ignite. While liquid fuel sprays have been proven to successfully aid and sustain detonations, the physical mechanism by which the individual liquid droplets accomplish this is yet to be understood. Such knowledge allows for more predictable detonation properties, which in turn can let detonation-based engines be sustained more easily. This research seeks to quantify and characterize interactions of liquid fuels with detonations and shocks, analyzing the breakup mechanism as well as the ignition of select fuels. Such effects will be characterized for several different mixture compositions as well as shock and detonation speeds. Primary analysis techniques include shadowgraph, Schlieren, and chemiluminescence imaging. Data on pressure will also be taken with pressure transducers to confirm shock and detonation properties. This research will further the progress of liquid fuel detonation-based engines by enabling more predictable and sustainable detonations

Wind Charged Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle

With the emergence of electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid vehicles HVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) from a variety of automotive manufacturers, the electrical grid will need to meet new challenges in supplying the electricity required to charge these vehicles. To help supply the electricity needed by these vehicles, we compared the electricity consumption of a modified Toyota Prius (PHEV) and the output of a small residential wind turbine over the course of one year. Our research seeks to determine whether a small residential wind turbine can supply the necessary electricity demanded by the PHEV annually

The Impact of Driving Conditions on PHEV Battery Performance

The battery performance of a modified Prius with a 5 kWh plug-in battery was documented for a year to determine the impact of environmental conditions and user attributes on vehicle performance. Both fuel economy and pure electrical efficiency were compared to ambient temperature. The fuel economy has a positive relationship with ambient temperature until approximately 70˚F where the efficiency begins to drop. Electrical performance has a positive linear relationship with ambient temperature. With the emergence of electric vehicles (EVs) and PHEVs from a variety of automotive manufacturers, information on EV and PHEV performance for consumers will become more important

The Yellow Book, Vol. 3

A British quarterly periodical published between 1894-1897, taking its name from illicit French literature. The magazine contained a wide range of content, from poems and short stories to reproductions of paintings.https://digitalcommons.whitworth.edu/yellowbook/1002/thumbnail.jp

High-density amorphous phase of silicon carbide obtained under large plastic shear and high pressure

In situ x-ray diffraction study of the hexagonal 6H SiC under pressure and shear in rotational diamond anvil cell is performed that reveals phase transformation to the new high-density amorphous (hda) phase SiC. In contrast to known low-density amorphous SiC, hda-SiC is promoted by pressure and unstable under pressure release. The critical combination of pressure ∼30 GPa and rotation of an anvil of 2160° that causes disordering is determined